Campgrounds in New Port, Florida

Nestled among thousands of acres of forests and wetlands, Newport is a prime destination for camping. This small Wakulla County community is a stone's throw from the Florida Panhandle's vast outdoor resources, including bountiful fishing streams, dozens of hiking trails and the vast expanse of the Gulf of Mexico. Numerous locations in and around Newport provide accommodations for campers, with options ranging from modern RV parks to primitive backwoods tent sites.

  1. On the Banks of the Ochlockonee

    • A little over 30 minutes southwest of Newport, Ochlockonee River State Park covers nearly 550 acres and includes a small family campground. About 30 campsites are sheltered beneath the park's shady forest canopy. Water and electric hookups are available, and each site includes a picnic table and campfire ring. Showers and restrooms are nearby. The Ochlockonee River flows through the park, and during your stay you can rent a kayak or launch your own to explore the river. The Ochlockonee is also an excellent fishing stream for freshwater species like largemouth bass, bream and catfish, and in the increasingly brackish waters near the mouth of the river are saltwater species like redfish and speckled trout. A current Florida fishing license is required.

    Shady and Secluded

    • Newport Park is a small, secluded campground located just off Highway 98, also known as the Coastal Highway. The park offers 20 primitive campsites tor tents and RVs, as well as six full-hookup sites that include water, sewer and electricity. A centrally located bathhouse provides modern restroom facilities, and an RV dumping station is on site. Recreational facilities in the park include a boat launch and dock on the St. Marks River and a riverside observation platform where you may spot herons, river otters and a variety of other wildlife.

    Campsites on the Bay

    • With its location on the shore of Ochlockonee Bay -- a saltwater estuary that connects the Ochlockonee River to the Gulf of Mexico -- Holiday Campground is an ideal home base for fishing excursions. Primarily an RV park, the campground includes 75 sites with full hookups. A primitive camping area is also available for tent campers. Gas, propane and an RV dump station are available, along with cable TV hookups and wireless Internet. The camp store sells food, drinks, ice, beach items, fishing bait, tackle and a variety of camping supplies. A handful of campsites are right on the water, enabling you to go fishing or hand-launch a small boat right from your site.

    Florida's Largest Forest

    • It takes less than half an hour to get to Apalachicola National Forest from Newport. Spanning a vast 571,000 acres, Apalachicola is the largest continuous area of forest in Florida, and has a number of camping options. Primitive camping areas like Hickory Landing and Mack Landing provide shady non-electric campsites for tents and small RVs. Campfire rings and picnic tables are included at every site; vault toilets and drinking water are the only amenities available. Campsites are first-come, first-served. Most of Apalachicola National Forest is also open to dispersed backcountry camping. Intrepid campers can hike into the woods on the forest's extensive trail system and pitch a tent at any suitable site. Backcountry campers are responsible for carrying in all necessary supplies, including tools to treat or purify water from springs and streams, and required to leave no trace of their presence. Trail maps and guides are available on the USDA Forest Service website.